The SIA license is a crucial part of any security training. Obtaining it is extremely important for all security personnel as it is only given after mandatory rigorous training and checking which is why it enhances the credibility of the people in the security industry. To get an SIA license requires a screening of basic as well as some key elements and on of which is the criminal record check. The Security Industry Authority license runs a background check on every individual that applies for it.
Often people with criminal records want to turn their life over and work in the security industry. They are overcome with the problem of getting rejected by the SIA based on their criminal records. More often than not getting an SIA license for these individuals depends on the nature and severity of the offence and also how long ago it occurred.
Following is a list of reasons why your SIA license can be rejected based on various criminal offences and how to go about it to see if there is still a possibility of getting a SIA license.
The UK government has an extensive website that lets you search for the most common queries regarding SIA license if you have a criminal record. Some which are listed below so you can save your time and have a hassle-free idea of where to start from if you are looking to get a SIA license.
Criminal Record Indicator:
The UK government has an official website that addresses the issues regarding the SIA license if you have a criminal record. For the ease of such individuals, they have a criminal record indicator that lets you upload the required information and runs a criminal background check online based on the information you provide. It will tell you whether you are eligible to get the SIA license or not. It operates on the same principles and follows the same method as the SIA officials do.
Even though the results that the indicator comes up will be aligned with not only the information entered but the same process the licensing team follows it will still however, have not guarantee that you will get the SIA license as the licensing team will still conduct a thorough investigation when you apply.
Also Read: How to Get an SIA Licence in 2024?
UK Criminal Record:
There are three main organizations that are sent a disclosure request upon your application for the SIA license. Access Northern Ireland (AccessNI), Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Disclosure Scotland are allowed to access the criminal history records in the UK and disclose them. The organization depends on whether your place of stay for the past five years.
Things to Look Out for:
The SIA checks the criminal records to make sure the individuals applying are capable for working in the SIA and can meet the physical and emotional needs of their jobs. People with criminal records can get an SIA license too but this decision is based on the severity of the crime. If the crime committed has proved you to be a threat to the society, then the SIA most likely will deny the license.
Violent behavior, aggravated assault, or dishonest behavior are examples of offences that might result in the rejection of an SIA license as working in the private security industry can take a toll on your mental and physical health because of exposure to sensitive information and dealing with hostile members of the society. Their website offers a complete list of relevant offences.
Also Read: How to Prepare for the SIA Certification Exam: Tips and Tricks
Criminal Record Checks From Other Countries:
For individuals who are not residents of UK the SIA will ask them to provide the evidence from their country of residence. Each criminal record check must be from an official source within the relevant country. This might be a time-consuming process which is why they suggest that these checks be done in advance before you apply for the license to save time and a smooth transition for the relevant decision.
Free of Sentence Restrictions:
The SIA license will automatically be rejected unless you are free from sentence restrictions. The four major clauses in this case are imprisonment, suspended sentences, fines and other disposals. They all mean that you will be deemed free of sentence once your conviction period or community service period is over so while you are still serving punishment ordained by the court it is not a good idea to apply for an SIA license in between and the best bet is to wait for it to be over.
Multiple Sentences & Multiple Convictions:
Multiple convictions and multiple sentences might be a hurdle in your path to obtain the SIA license. In case of multiple disposals, the one with the greatest penalty will be taken into consideration. Whereas, instances involving multiple convictions your license will get rejected if you have three or more convictions and a prison sentence both of which must have ended in the past seven years of assessing criminality.
Also Read: Everything You Need To Know About Security Industry Licensing
CAF & Submitting Mitigation:
In some cases, the SIA feels that the need to ‘Consider Additional Factors’ then they will ask you to submit mitigation which will ask you to provide evidence of other influencing factors, character references and evidence of your rehabilitation since the offence. The deadline for providing these documents is usually 21 days starting from the date when you received a notification to submit these documents.
Factual Errors:
Factual errors include the decision of the SIA to reject giving you the license, the basis for which are shared because they need to reassure the information provided is free from any kind of error or asking for further information after which they can reach a final decision. They may include error in identity, error in assessing criminality, proof of remand time or a proof that a community order was discharged early. The license is refused if you are not able to respond within the next 21 days.
Notification Of A Refusal:
The notification of refusal will still give you ample time and opportunity to provide them with further information to back your case. In any case if the SIA license is refused you can always exercise a right of appeal to a Magistrate’s, Sheriff Court or District Court with in the next 21 days from the final decision letter. Filing or lodging an appeal will have its own costs and suggests that you seek legal help along with it as well.
Also Read: Checklist Before Booking An SIA Security Guard Course
Concluding Thoughts
Other than a criminal record check even if you do have a SIA License, they will always have a right to revoke or suspend a license. The detailed analysis of the causes is shared on their website which can be accessed easily by individuals willing to apply for an SIA License.
We here at Agile Security Training offer multiple courses for obtaining SIA License and our highly skilled team of professionals that have been working in the security industry for many years are able to help you achieve your goals. There is nothing more the SIA looks for than trust worthy people who have managed to complete rigorous training who can be responsible enough to safeguard the assets and lives of the public. It is always advised to know where you stand even if you do not clearly get a refusal or acceptance letter and you fall under the category of CAFs.
